The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-01-13
SELF-CONTROL REQUIRED.
+ Brief Essay on the Facial Expression of
StenOgraphers.

4 brleI Essay on the racial Expression Oh
StenOgraphers.
! In all the advertisements and CiTcu-
! lars which the various shorthand schools
and colleges are sending broadcast
over the country regarding the qualiii-
| cations of students whom they have
! graduated l find one point not alluded
| to; and as | believe this omitted point
something necessary to the success of
| every one acting as private secretary it
| seems to me it should be. taught, or. at
least, spoken of as a necessary requisite
in the proficiency of shorthand writers.
In these days when so much attention
is given to the Delsarte method of ex-
preston by those who are fitting them
selves professionally for the stage, ana
the look without the accompanying
words can be made to express emotion
of anv kind. | would suggest Il method
differing from the Delsarte in the OPP
poSite extreme-which should be used
| in connection with every system of
shorthand, that pupils may learn not to
| accompany their dictators' words with
varying expressions of countenance, but
so train themselves that they can as
sumo stoical expression which they
shall wear at all times, and out of
which they will not be surprised under
the most trying circumstances.
In my experience as private amanu-
ensis in a large wholesale house | have
learned this for myself, and now would
help others just entering the field who
have no idea how much depends upon
the cultivation of facial expression; or
rather, the cultivation of non-expression
in the face.
Have you keen sense of humor, and
are you unfortunate enough to see the
ridiculous side of everything, then |
warn you to so train yourself that,
while laughing inwardly as much as
you please, not even the fringe of your
eye-lids shall quiver, or the corners of
your mouth twist, when your dictator
expresses himself in so peculiar man.
ner as to excite your risibles.
If brought up in conscientious
family. with no knowledge of business
, entanglements which necessitate the
! telling of white lies" then again will
! it be well for you to be versed in facial
expression to the intent that when YOU
| are receiving words from your Dictator )
lips exactly contrary TO opinions ex-
pressed by him IN previous letters to
other parties, your eyes shall not open
wide with 4 questioning look but will
maintain 4 down-cast, ''none of my
| business" position, which at all times
| suit your employer, for where is there
! businessman who wants his conscience
sitting III his elbow, ready to say in
! looks-hecause it dare not in words
You are not telling the truth, SIR
If you pride yourself upon your cor
3 Il
at the iudiscriminate mixing of pro-
nouns and lenses when in the presence
of people not related to Richard Grant
White, then will it be necessary for you
to be well trained that not shadow of
| horror will pass over your countennnce
when your dictator begins 4 letter in
| his most consequential manner. I'VE
done the best we could, but it is our
intentions to do better. ETC., etc." or SO
mixes his own individual ''l'' with the
firm we that you are in doubt as to
the proper signature of the same Ii
you feel each hair rising, each muscle
OF your eye wincing. and all the wrink-
les OF your forehead holding an indig-
nation meeting ut a common center, |
warn you to suppress them all. Say to
each rising h:ur Sit thee down, my
child to each qIiverIng muscle.
| Cease thy sympathetic convuiSion."
and TO the gathering wrinkles. depart
in peace, this is none ot your affair that
| you should thus show yourselves in
| battle array"
Are YOU subjected to the writing of
personal letters, giving information,
perhaps, on subjects which arouse your
curiosity, let not one CLEAN of exulta-
ton shoot from your eyes that you now
possess the wished-for knowledge, or if
YOU are called upon to take letters of
coincidence to sorrowing friends, let not
the look of abject pity show itself upon
your face, not even if the tears roll from
your dictator's eyes and your heart is
filled with sympathy. You are not
| hired as a mourner to enter into the
| spirit of the occasion; therefore, l say
| TO you, maintain a look of the utmost
| Indifference and stoicism.
If interrupted in the course of dicta-
| ton by a friend of your employer, who
| calls for the purpose of discussing pol
itics, and lively conversation ensues-
during which you sit with pencil in
hand waiting 10 resume your legitimate
| busineSS-let not their words extend
further than your ears, and let not your
face express that you stand with either
side in their opinion of presidential can
didates, but let them judge from the
vacant look in your face that you did
not know fall election was to take
| place.
In conclusion. strive not to be your
dictator's conscience, his grammar, or
his clown, but simply his phonograph-
his human machine-which shall re-
ceive into its ears anything and every
thing on all subjects, and shall through
it all maintain a countenance as placid
as 4 summer sea, as vacant as the face
of an owl, and rs Interchangeable as the
Sphinx.-RhOnographic Monthly.